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The exisiting bridge is built on or near the site of a medieval bridge “The medieval town lay on the southern bank of the River Tone. Evidence for a former ford suggests that there was a crossing point to link the town with the hillfort at Norton Fitzwarren, and the Quantock ridgeway. This was succeeded by the medieval Tone Bridge at more or less the same location, mentioned in 1362, rebuilt in 1810, 1834 and 1895.The medieval bridge crossed via an island, now gone, called Sealy’s Island, which was large enough to have buildings on it.²

On complaint that a bridge called . Taunton Bridge, alias Fleetebridge, in or near Taunton, is in great decay for want of repair, the Court, learning that the bridge has hitherto been repaired at the charges of the county, orders that Mr.John Weatham and Mr. William Turner do see to its repair,and that their expenses be reimbursed by the treasurers of the hospitals equally at the next Sessions.³

A bridge at Taunton, probably of timber construction, was first recorded in 1280. By 1570 there was a narrow masonry bridge of six arches, called Tone Bridge. This was replaced in 1810 by a wider bridge of two masonry arches which was renamed North Town Bridge. Plans for a cast-iron bridge in 1828 came to nothing, but six years later an additional, larger, masonry arch was built between the original two, in an attempt to improve the navigation and alleviate flooding. By the 1895 conditions had worsened, and the masonry arches were replaced by a three-span wrought-iron girder bridge supported on cylindrical cast-iron columns. In 1936-8 the girders and deck were replaced by steel, but the cast-iron parapets and lamp standards were re-used as can be seen today.(4)

https://www.change.org/p/replace-the-goodland-gardens-footbridge-thisbridgematters

Tied-arch design

Achieving shallow construction depth was a key driver. By placing a slender steel girder each side of the carriageway supported by feature arches overhead, the engineers were able to minimise the depth of the crossbeams, and use elegant tapering cantilevers to support the footways on each side. This also kept the deck edges very thin in line with the desired objective.

The arch has an open skeletal structure with solid chords separated by triangular crossframes. In order to achieve the desired lightness, delicacy and transparency, the engineers used a clever device with twin plates in the crossframes to create vierendeel action to restrain the arch chords and enable their diameter to be minimised. This also enabled the stainless steel hangers to fit neatly within the openings and form a fan-shaped array in elevation.¹

“We are very pleased that the whole operation went so smoothly this morning, said Morrison Construction site manager Bob Stevens. The fact that it took just an hour to perform such a complex manoeuvre is testament to the six months of careful planning by Galliford Try, Somerset County Council and Mabey Bridge Fabrication. It really is wonderful to see the new River Tone bridge in place, and to have been involved in leaving a lasting legacy to the improvement of transport in Taunton.” Consultant Flint & Neill designed the bridge, and the highway design was carried out by Atkins.

opened by Transport Minister Norman Baker, September 27th 2011

The Taunton Third Way bridge, with its distinctive bowstring arches, won best Civil Engineering Project (costing up to £3 million).

The principal contractor was Galliford Try, the designers were Flint & Neil, and Moxon Architects.

The bridge spans 36 metres over the River Tone in the centre of Taunton, designed for road traffic, pedestrians and cyclists. The entire 220 tonne structure was assembled alongside the river and lifted into place in a single operation by one of Europes largest cranes.

The Meadows, designed by Steve Swan of Swan Paul Partnership